Iraq-Iran Trade to pick up

Nations that have a robust trading relationship tend to not go to war against each other. Therefore, I see good trade relations between Iraq and Iran to be a good
thing.

 

Boy LE, we'd better gaurd against that, as it seems a natural for these two Muslim countries that hate Israel so much. But it is rather important for them to increase trade in all the legit areas.

Yet another reason to never (in the forseeable future) get signifantly out of the area.

 

Our presence there can easily be afforded there as Iraq officials agree we are needed and oil revenues can help with the "costs of peace."

 

"The developments seemed to lay the groundwork for potentially large withdrawals in 2006 and 2007, consistent with scenarios outlined by Pentagon planners...

A former top Pentagon official who served during Bush's first term said he believed there was a "growing consensus" on withdrawing about 40,000 troops before next year's congressional election. That would be followed by further substantial pullouts in 2007 if it became clear that Iraqi forces could contain the insurgency...

U.S. officials hope that by the end of 2007, the remaining U.S. force will be small enough to not offend Iraqi sensibilities yet large enough to help Iraq's military with reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and air power...

The shift in the administration's attitude also may reflect concern that the U.S. military can't bear the current strains indefinitely...

"I think the administration will yield to the reality of an Army that is apparently beginning to buckle under the strain of these long-term deployments," Krepinevich said..."

- Story LINK

 

If control can be legitimately ceded to the Iraqi's I guess it would be good, but I see no way to do that in the next 5 years at least. There are enough radicals in the region, to flood into Iraq and set things askew real quick. We'll never be clear out, except in defeat.

 

The American people will not stand for that. No start to withdrawal next year means the Democrats win control of the Congress next November. If we are still not basically out of Iraq by November 2008 then the Democrats win the White House for sure.

Therefore, we will start to withdraw next year as the GOP leaders will pressure the president to do so. And then the GOP leaders will try to ensure for the 2008 election that Iraq is off the front pages as far as American involvement is concerned.

Unfortunately, the majority of the American people have turned against this war and I don't think there is any way to get their support for the war back.

 

Perhaps.

I hope this happens. I would be willing to endure another four years under a Republican administration if it would mean getting more of our troops home early. I would rather see the Democrats lose again than to see more American soldiers die in Iraq.

I agree.

 

The American people will not stand for that. No start to withdrawal next year means the Democrats win control of the Congress next November. If we are still not basically out of Iraq by November 2008 then the Democrats win the White House for sure.

Therefore, we will start to withdraw next year as the GOP leaders will pressure the president to do so. And then the GOP leaders will try to ensure for the 2008 election that Iraq is off the front pages as far as American involvement is concerned.

Unfortunately, the majority of the American people have turned against this war and I don't think there is any way to get their support for the war back. </font>[/QUOTE]I sure hope you're wrong. The high death toll in Iraq now will certainly be far higher if we cut and run. Millions will be slaughtered in some appeasement for allah.